•The World Isn't Ending• (Cole x Reader)

cold concrete burns my feet in the early night heat•༄

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hey babes! welcome to my Cole x Reader, in this story you are Y/n Ninjago's one and only wind ninja, so enjoy! love ya <3
Song in title- Swimming Pool
by Marie Madeleine
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My vision swam as I slowly regained consciousness, the sharp sting of cold metal poking into my side. "What...?" I mumbled, my blurred vision trying to focus. The world around me spun, and it took a moment before I realized where I was—a cage.

Before I could even process what was happening, I was yanked upright. A harsh hand grabbed me, shoving me toward Cole. The familiar weight of the ball and chain now pulling at my limbs made my stomach twist.

"Finally, you're awake..." Cole's voice, shaky. His face, though worn, lit up with a flash of relief, but it was short-lived as a guard shoved him back to work.

"Well, that's just great," I muttered under my breath, taking in the situation. My mind raced: We didn't defeat the Skull Sorcerer after all.

Cole opened his mouth, probably to comfort me, but a guard interrupted, pushing him roughly toward a rock-crushing machine. "Move it! Get to work!" The clang of his ball and chain echoed off the cavern walls as he was forced into the rhythm of labor.

"Okay, okay, I get the point!" Cole snapped, clearly fighting back the urge to lash out. They shackled him tightly, forcing him into the monotonous task of mining. His hands tightened into fists, but he was powerless in this situation.

I didn't have much time to feel helpless, as the guards began attaching chains around my wrists next. The cold metal bit into my skin as I was shoved into place. My heart pounded in my chest, but I refused to let panic take over. I needed to think. I needed to focus.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a Munce—a big green, ragged creature—working nearby. He was hunched over, his expression hollow with exhaustion, but his eyes held a glimmer of something... awareness.

I subtly turned toward him, trying not to draw attention as I whispered, "Hey. Psst. I'm Y/n."

The Munce glanced up at me, his expression flat, but he nodded in acknowledgment. "Murt."

I glanced at Cole, then back at the Munce, trying to keep my voice low. "How long have you been down here, Murt?"

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting toward the guards, making sure no one was watching. "Long time. Like you."

I blinked, confused. "What? No... I just got here." My voice trembled slightly as I tried to make sense of his words.

Murt's expression remained unreadable, though his voice held a tone of resignation. "Me too. Long time."

I frowned, shaking my head in disbelief. "What? That doesn't make sense. I'm only here because—" I was cut off, the sound of clanging chains and the steady rhythm of mining surrounded us, the air heavy with the stench of sweat and stone.

"Hey, hey buddy. Any way out of here?" Cole asked, his voice hushed but persistent, glancing sideways at the creature next to him. The Geckle he was working alongside was barely paying attention, his weary eyes scanning the tunnels, his hands mechanically moving rocks from the pile.

"No," Gliff mumbled without looking up, his voice flat and uninterested.

"Alright, alright," Cole muttered, sighing in frustration, though he returned to mining. The sound of the pickaxe hitting stone rang out, filling the oppressive silence that had settled over us. He paused for a second, his brow furrowed as he glanced at Murt, who had been unusually quiet for a moment.